Aerodynamic sealing member for aircraft
a sealing member and aerodynamic technology, applied in the field of sealing members, can solve the problems of affecting the performance of the aircraft, causing parasitic drag, and rapid movement of the sealing seal, and achieve the effect of increasing the resistance of the sealing seal to flutter and being relatively flexibl
Inactive Publication Date: 2009-07-23
AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD
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AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The invention provides a sealing member for aircraft that includes a flexible stiffening element with a low glass transition temperature that increases resistance to flutter at low temperatures. The stiffening element stiffens to a greater degree than the sealing material in response to a decrease in temperature when the aircraft climbs from ground level to cruise altitude. The sealing member can be made from different elastomeric materials and can be used to adjust the aerodynamic behavior of the aircraft. The method of manufacturing the sealing member involves compressing the sealing material and stiffening element together and curing them. The technical effects of the invention include improved sealing performance and increased resistance to flutter in aircraft.
Problems solved by technology
When the seals are used to form an aerodynamic seal then they are exposed to air flow, which can induce a rapid movement of the seal known as ‘seal flutter’.
Seal flutter induces parasitic drag and negatively affects the performance of the aircraft.
However, if the seal is too stiff then it may be difficult to install and / or may be too stiff to maintain a seal at all times and / or may be unsuitable for forming an aerodynamic seal.
Method used
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[0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an aircraft wing 1 and a flap-track fairing 3. A blade seal 2 forms an aerodynamic seal between the two structures 1,3. The seal 2 has an outer face 2a forming an external aerodynamic surface of the aircraft, and an inner face 2b inside the fairing. The fairing 3 provides an aerodynamic surface which surrounds a flap deployment mechanism (not shown) to minimize the drag penalty associated with it. The flap deployment mechanism deploys a flap (not shown) from a retracted position to an extended position. The flap deployment mechanism also moves the fairing 3 down relative to the wing 1 as the flap moves to its extended position. Therefore the seal 2 must flex to enable it to expand and contract as the fairing moves, whilst maintaining a secure environmental seal between the fairing 3 and the wing 1.
[0020]During fitting of the fairing 3, an upwards force is exerted manually on the fairing 3 which causes the seal 2 to be compressed against...
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Abstract
A sealing member for forming a seal in an aircraft, the sealing member comprising: a sealing material; and a stiffening element which provides structural support to the sealing material and comprises a material with a glass transition temperature below +50° C. The stiffening element is relatively flexible when the aircraft is at low altitude (high temperature) but becomes relatively stiff (increasing resistance to seal flutter) when the aircraft is at cruise altitude (low temperature).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a sealing member for forming an aerodynamic seal—that is, a seal which is exposed to the flow of air over an aircraft during flight.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Seals are required at various points in an aircraft. When the seals are used to form an aerodynamic seal then they are exposed to air flow, which can induce a rapid movement of the seal known as ‘seal flutter’. Seal flutter induces parasitic drag and negatively affects the performance of the aircraft. In modern aircraft, parasitic drag forms upwards of 12% of the total drag during cruise and there is consequently a focus on reducing these effects.[0003]In existing seals, a strip of stiffening fabric material may be used to impart stiffness to the seal. However, if the seal is too stiff then it may be difficult to install and / or may be too stiff to maintain a seal at all times and / or may be unsuitable for forming an aerodynamic seal.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0004...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): F16J15/32B64C3/00B23P11/00
CPCF16J15/104Y10T29/49826F16J15/322B64C9/14F16J15/108
Inventor WEST, COLIN JOHN
Owner AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD